Merlin K. Jones, 98, of Chanute, KS, passed away Wednesday, October 17, 2018.

He was born July 5, 1920, in Lakin, KS, the son of Ralph William and Mina E. (Ellis) Jones.

He graduated from Lakin Rural High School in 1938 and then worked for the City of Lakin Electric Dept. and Parker Electric for 2 years. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in May 1941.

On December 24, 1941, he and Neva Maxine Fansler of Independence, KS, were married in the First Methodist Church in Yuma, AZ.

Merlin served in the Navy during World War II, the Korean War, and participated in Operation Deepfreeze II with a trip to Antarctica from 1956 to 1957. He retired from active duty on December 14, 1962. He then operated a cattle and hay ranch near Monument, Oregon, for 12 years. He served as deputy sheriff of Grant County, OR during this period. He was a member of the Grant County Fair Board 1969-1974. In 1975 he moved back to Kansas to be near family and operated a cattle and hay ranch near Toronto, KS, until retiring in 1993.

His wife, Neva, preceded him in death on January 4, 1994.

In 1997 Merlin moved to Burgaw, North Carolina and on June 12, 1997, he and Mary Emily Henderson were married. They moved back to Kansas in 1999 residing near Yates Center. Mary preceded him in death on January 30, 2011.

Merlin leaves a step-son, Terry Jones and wife Deborah of St. Paul, MN; step-grandchildren, Rhiannon and Bryan Jones; and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Merlin's wishes were to be cremated and buried, with a family service, next to his first wife, Neva, in Lakin Cemetery.

Campbell Funeral Home in Yates Center is assisting the family.